"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2 Corinthians 7:10
I have to admit that I missed it this morning. I rolled back over in bed and fell back asleep. What's so bad about that? The Lord woke me up a little earlier to spend some extra time with Him before my day got started. I knew it was Him and I didn't get on up. I really regret that I didn't because it's getting late in the morning, I have several things already wanting my time, I have some responsibilities that must be attended to but I still need to have that extra time with the Lord. Other than confession being good for the soul, I told you all this because when I told the Lord I was sorry, He spoke back and said, "It's not about being sorry, it's about being repentant".
Being sorry and repentance are not the same thing. Sorry is more of an "emotional" thing and repentance is a complete change of mind. Sorry often involves regrets- regrets over something that you lost, something that you forfeited, something that you missed out on. Sorry also more often responds to the consequences. It's like the little child who gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar after his mother told him he could not have the cookie. He is sorry because he got caught. He is sorry because he doesn't want to face the punishment and is hoping to avoid it. But when mother turns her back he's in the cookie jar again- he wasn't repentant.
Repentance involves a change of mind. When the Lord spoke that to me this morning, He meant that He did not want me to just be sorry because of what I missed, but He wants me to have a totally different outlook on it. He wants me to change my way of thinking and get up just because He said to get up. Repentance motivates me to do the right thing for the right reason. Earthly sorrow looks at the situation from my own perspective-- it does not lead to repentance. Godly sorrow looks at the situation the way God looks at it-- it will lead to repentance.
Have a great day. It's not about being sorry, it's about repentance.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
"Here I Am To Worship"
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." John 4:23
I was listening to this wonderful worship song last night and begin to think that I would love to be in a really great worship service. You know the kind I am talking about. The kind where the presence of God is so overwhelming, the place feels electrified by His presence, you are "raptured" in the sense of His love for you, time stands still, nothing else matters, your heart is pouring out its deepest love and affection on Him. I truly love those times. (Can you only image what heaven will be like?)
As I thought about this, my thought was more of a prayer, then the Lord spoke this to my heart-- you don't have to wait until you are in the company of some large crowd to worship and experience that place where our hearts touch each others. ( I know this to be true for I have experienced those times when it was just me and the Lord.)
Corporate worship is great. We are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together with one another. There is something that happens when two or more are gathered in His name. When the body of Christ comes together, we should worship in one accord offering up a sacrifice of praise that invokes His presence. But our worship time should not be restricted to only the times when we are gathered together with others.
Worship is as much a private thing as it is a public thing. Worship is as much an individual thing as it is a corporate thing. Worship should never be confined within the assembly of the church only. Worship is a place within the heart. Worship is not about the number of people present, it's not about the place, it's not about a gathering with others-- it's about touching the heart of God and that can be done whether you are alone or with others.
Have a great day. If you are not spending time worshipping Him when there is no one there but you and Him, you are missing out on the intimate fellowship that He desires to give you.
I was listening to this wonderful worship song last night and begin to think that I would love to be in a really great worship service. You know the kind I am talking about. The kind where the presence of God is so overwhelming, the place feels electrified by His presence, you are "raptured" in the sense of His love for you, time stands still, nothing else matters, your heart is pouring out its deepest love and affection on Him. I truly love those times. (Can you only image what heaven will be like?)
As I thought about this, my thought was more of a prayer, then the Lord spoke this to my heart-- you don't have to wait until you are in the company of some large crowd to worship and experience that place where our hearts touch each others. ( I know this to be true for I have experienced those times when it was just me and the Lord.)
Corporate worship is great. We are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together with one another. There is something that happens when two or more are gathered in His name. When the body of Christ comes together, we should worship in one accord offering up a sacrifice of praise that invokes His presence. But our worship time should not be restricted to only the times when we are gathered together with others.
Worship is as much a private thing as it is a public thing. Worship is as much an individual thing as it is a corporate thing. Worship should never be confined within the assembly of the church only. Worship is a place within the heart. Worship is not about the number of people present, it's not about the place, it's not about a gathering with others-- it's about touching the heart of God and that can be done whether you are alone or with others.
Have a great day. If you are not spending time worshipping Him when there is no one there but you and Him, you are missing out on the intimate fellowship that He desires to give you.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
"Second Chance- Part 2"
"She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." John 8:11
Yesterday I told you that I had run into a man that I used to go to school with years ago. He was telling me that he had received a liver transplant five years earlier because his life of drugs and alcohol had destroyed his. I told him to take care of it because it cost someone else their life for him to have it- in essence, for him to have a second chance at life. This morning let me say this, unless he changes his way of living he will wind up doing the same thing to this new liver- destroying it.
Then we also discussed yesterday that we have been given a second chance at life because someone died for us so that we might live- Jesus. I asked the question, "What are you doing with this second chance?". This morning I want to talk about the second chance again that we have been given. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn us (John 3:17), but to give us life. Once we have received that new life we are commanded to "go and sin no more". Jesus expects us to live and walk in a new life of transformation and leave the old way of life behind.
Just because He has washed your sins away does not mean that you can keep living in sin. His message has always been and will always be- turn from your sins, walk in newness of life, go and sin no more. The man I was talking about has received a new liver but if he doesn't make a complete turn from a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol he will destroy this new liver and face the consequences again of his actions. A new liver does not give him more opportunity to keep drinking, it gave him a second chance at life. Jesus doesn't just give us a "guilt free" conscience to continue in a sinful lifestyle. He gives us a second chance to live and to live an abundant life. Like the woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus did not condemn her, He forgave her, but then He told her not to keep doing (living in) the sin she was doing. He still says the same thing to us today.
Have a great day. Once you have received forgiveness and the new life Jesus gives--- go and sin no more.
Yesterday I told you that I had run into a man that I used to go to school with years ago. He was telling me that he had received a liver transplant five years earlier because his life of drugs and alcohol had destroyed his. I told him to take care of it because it cost someone else their life for him to have it- in essence, for him to have a second chance at life. This morning let me say this, unless he changes his way of living he will wind up doing the same thing to this new liver- destroying it.
Then we also discussed yesterday that we have been given a second chance at life because someone died for us so that we might live- Jesus. I asked the question, "What are you doing with this second chance?". This morning I want to talk about the second chance again that we have been given. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn us (John 3:17), but to give us life. Once we have received that new life we are commanded to "go and sin no more". Jesus expects us to live and walk in a new life of transformation and leave the old way of life behind.
Just because He has washed your sins away does not mean that you can keep living in sin. His message has always been and will always be- turn from your sins, walk in newness of life, go and sin no more. The man I was talking about has received a new liver but if he doesn't make a complete turn from a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol he will destroy this new liver and face the consequences again of his actions. A new liver does not give him more opportunity to keep drinking, it gave him a second chance at life. Jesus doesn't just give us a "guilt free" conscience to continue in a sinful lifestyle. He gives us a second chance to live and to live an abundant life. Like the woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus did not condemn her, He forgave her, but then He told her not to keep doing (living in) the sin she was doing. He still says the same thing to us today.
Have a great day. Once you have received forgiveness and the new life Jesus gives--- go and sin no more.
Monday, March 25, 2019
"Second Chance"
"In him was life..." John 1:4a
Several years ago when I used to minister at the drug and alcohol recovery center, I saw a man that I had gone to school with but had not seen for many years. We briefly caught up on each others lives. He told me that he had received a liver transplant about five years earlier after having destroyed his through alcohol and drugs. I told him to take care of the new one because in order for him to have gotten it someone had to die.
As I said those words I was reminded of another time when someone had to die in order for others to live. Jesus had to die in order for us to live, in order for us to have eternal life, in order for us to be able to have a relationship with the Heavenly Father and He had to die in order for our sins to be forgiven and washed away.
My statement to this man was also asking him what he was doing with the "second chance" he now had. Was he going to waste it? Was he going to continue to ruin his life? Was he going to take advantage of the new life he has received? Was he going to show his gratitude by being productive and accomplish something worth while? I have to ask you the same questions this morning. Since you have received a "second chance" and a new lease on life through Jesus, what are you doing with it? Are you going to take it for granted? Are you going to enjoy the life He has given to you? Are you going to squander it on doing your own will? Are you going to show your gratitude by surrendering to God's plan for your life? Are you going to use this marvelous gift to fulfill the plan and purpose that God has for your life? What are you going to do with it? What are you doing with it?
Have a great day. Through Christ's death we have been given the opportunity to have life. Have you received that life? If so, what are you doing with it?
Several years ago when I used to minister at the drug and alcohol recovery center, I saw a man that I had gone to school with but had not seen for many years. We briefly caught up on each others lives. He told me that he had received a liver transplant about five years earlier after having destroyed his through alcohol and drugs. I told him to take care of the new one because in order for him to have gotten it someone had to die.
As I said those words I was reminded of another time when someone had to die in order for others to live. Jesus had to die in order for us to live, in order for us to have eternal life, in order for us to be able to have a relationship with the Heavenly Father and He had to die in order for our sins to be forgiven and washed away.
My statement to this man was also asking him what he was doing with the "second chance" he now had. Was he going to waste it? Was he going to continue to ruin his life? Was he going to take advantage of the new life he has received? Was he going to show his gratitude by being productive and accomplish something worth while? I have to ask you the same questions this morning. Since you have received a "second chance" and a new lease on life through Jesus, what are you doing with it? Are you going to take it for granted? Are you going to enjoy the life He has given to you? Are you going to squander it on doing your own will? Are you going to show your gratitude by surrendering to God's plan for your life? Are you going to use this marvelous gift to fulfill the plan and purpose that God has for your life? What are you going to do with it? What are you doing with it?
Have a great day. Through Christ's death we have been given the opportunity to have life. Have you received that life? If so, what are you doing with it?
Friday, March 22, 2019
"He Sees In Darkness"
"Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." Psalm 139:12
As I was praying about what the Lord desires to say to us this morning through the devotional, Psalm 139 came to mind. Then He said to tell you that it doesn't matter where you are, He still sees you.
You may be on the mountain top this morning without a care in the world. Things may be going great in your life. You may have plenty to eat, a place to lay your head and call home, you may have all your family around you, you may have all your bills paid and money in your pocket. As a result, you have the confidence and assurance that God is watching over you because of these blessings that are in your life.
But on the other hand, you may be in a valley this morning, you may be sitting in a place of darkness. There may be sickness in your body, pain filling every joint. You may be wondering where your next meal is coming from. You may be on your way to work knowing that this will be your last week there. You may be sitting at the bed side of a loved one who is taking their last breaths. As a result, of this dark valley you might be wondering, "Where is God?". His answer to you is: I am here! I see you when you stand up, sit down and lay down. I see you when the darkness looms, when the shadows come, when the trials rest like thick black clouds around you. You are not hid from My sight. The darkness cannot hide you. I see you!
Be comforted this morning by the fact that God sees you no matter where you are and what you are going through. Take a few moments and read all of Psalms 139. There is no place (no matter how dark the trial or how deep the pit) where you are hid from His sight.
Have a great day. Even when it is so dark that you can't see anything but the darkness.... He still sees you.
As I was praying about what the Lord desires to say to us this morning through the devotional, Psalm 139 came to mind. Then He said to tell you that it doesn't matter where you are, He still sees you.
You may be on the mountain top this morning without a care in the world. Things may be going great in your life. You may have plenty to eat, a place to lay your head and call home, you may have all your family around you, you may have all your bills paid and money in your pocket. As a result, you have the confidence and assurance that God is watching over you because of these blessings that are in your life.
But on the other hand, you may be in a valley this morning, you may be sitting in a place of darkness. There may be sickness in your body, pain filling every joint. You may be wondering where your next meal is coming from. You may be on your way to work knowing that this will be your last week there. You may be sitting at the bed side of a loved one who is taking their last breaths. As a result, of this dark valley you might be wondering, "Where is God?". His answer to you is: I am here! I see you when you stand up, sit down and lay down. I see you when the darkness looms, when the shadows come, when the trials rest like thick black clouds around you. You are not hid from My sight. The darkness cannot hide you. I see you!
Be comforted this morning by the fact that God sees you no matter where you are and what you are going through. Take a few moments and read all of Psalms 139. There is no place (no matter how dark the trial or how deep the pit) where you are hid from His sight.
Have a great day. Even when it is so dark that you can't see anything but the darkness.... He still sees you.
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